LCoS Wavelength Selective Switch Port Switching Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for driving liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) in wavelength selective switches (WSS) are not optimized for fast switching, particularly in WSS with a large number of ports, leading to inefficiencies in port switching times.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining port status information, updating sub-images corresponding to optical signals, and refreshing driving voltages for pixels in a prioritized manner, allowing for faster port switching by focusing on local areas of the LCoS image that require changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed refresh rate method is used for driving LCoS, then the display function is maintained, but the port switching speed is too slow to meet ASON requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The LCoS image is divided into N×M sub-images, where each sub-image corresponds to a specific wavelength from a specific input port. This segmentation allows the system to update only the relevant sub-images that need to be switched, rather than refreshing the entire LCoS image, thereby reducing the switching time while maintaining proper display function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of refreshing all pixels on the LCoS display screen at every frame rate cycle, the system performs partial action by updating only the pixels in the first area that correspond to the sub-image needing switching. This partial update approach significantly reduces the time required for port switching while still achieving the desired wavelength routing change.
2Productivity
If the entire LCoS image is refreshed at fixed frame rate, then all pixels are updated uniformly, but this causes excessive waiting time for switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the first area that needs updating before performing the actual pixel voltage refreshing. By identifying and prioritizing the relevant sub-image area in advance, the system can prepare the switching operation and execute it more efficiently, reducing the overall waiting time while maintaining proper display updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial action by updating only the pixels in the first area that correspond to the sub-image needing switching, rather than refreshing all pixels on the LCoS display screen. This selective updating approach significantly reduces the time required for port switching while still achieving the desired wavelength routing change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If LCoS resolution is increased to support more ports, then the WSS capability is enhanced, but the switching time increases due to more pixels to refresh
Solution Approach 1:
The LCoS image is divided into N×M sub-images, where each sub-image corresponds to a specific wavelength from a specific input port. This segmentation allows the system to update only the relevant sub-images that need to be switched, rather than refreshing the entire LCoS image, thereby reducing the switching time while maintaining proper display function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of refreshing all pixels on the LCoS display screen at every frame rate cycle, the system performs partial action by updating only the pixels in the first area that correspond to the sub-image needing switching. This partial update approach significantly reduces the time required for port switching while still achieving the desired wavelength routing change.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster port switching in WSS apparatuses by reducing the waiting time for refreshing driving voltages and optimizing the refresh process based on priority, thereby improving the switching speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
programmable implementation of a reflection diffraction grating with a specific phase distribution, and deflecting an incident light beam to a corresponding outgoing direction
Implementation Method 2
liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) is a core switching engine of the WSS, and main functions of the LCoS are programmable implementation of a reflection diffraction grating with a specific phase distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A method of wavelength selection and a communication apparatus is applied to fields such as optical communication, optical switching, digital central networks, microwave photonics, liquid crystal antennas, optical phased arrays, beam forming, beam scanning, laser radars, laser projection, laser televisions, holographic display, adaptive optics, laser beam shaping, laser processing, ultrafast laser pulse shaping, laser active imaging, optical tomography scanning, and retinal imaging. When port switching occurs in a WSS apparatus, only image data of a changed local image of an LCoS image is updated within each time interval that is shorter than duration of one image frame, and a driving voltage for a pixel on the LCoS display screen is refreshed based on a priority.